by Abby Blake
Eric squeezed Emmallina’s hand, told her again to call him any time, and then headed back to his wife’s side.
“It’s hard to imagine what it was like before,” Brody’s niece, Keira, said as she took a seat beside Emmallina. “I barely remember life before Uncle Brody, Nate, and Ava took me in. I’m so lucky that they found me.”
“They’re good people,” Emmallina said, remembering everything she’d ever known about the two humans before they’d become invisible to her Oracle skills. “Your Uncle Brody is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known. Despite what he’d been taught growing up, he found his way to love and acceptance of all species. Growing past ingrained behaviors is never easy, but your Uncle Brody made it look that way.”
“He did,” Keira said with obvious pride in her voice. In many ways, the young woman had been just as extraordinary. She’d also let go of the prejudices and hatred she’d been raised with and embraced the peaceful life she’d been offered.
They sat together for a while, watching many of the children playing in what had probably once been built as a children’s jungle gym, but now more closely resembled an army training ground. Jennifer had confided that it had been the only way to get her twin boys to sleep. The young werewolves had more energy than even their fathers could keep up with. They’d considered moving back to Xavier’s pack land so that the boys had a safe place to roam and expend their youthful energy, but in the end had found a compromise. As much as they loved their pack, they had an extended family right here with the Oracle’s receptacles and their offspring.
Emmallina laughed softly as she watched Alex lift Kali into his arms, place her on a chair at a table with Ava and Lilly, and order her to stay. Kali smiled as Ronan scooped up their young girls just as they all decided to sit on their mother’s lap at the same time. Considering that she was heavily pregnant with their little brother, it was unlikely any of them would have found a place to sit anyway. Ava and Lilly smiled at the children’s antics as they each held a sleeping infant and enjoyed the party.
“I’m really going to miss this place,” Keira said quietly. She’d been so happy when she’d received the acceptance to her college of choice that it had probably taken a while for the reality to sink in. Moving away from the people she loved was going to be hard, but Emmallina had no doubt that the young dragon-shifter would find her way.
“Sorry we’re late,” Amber said as she stepped onto the back porch, each of her husbands carrying a young child. Wilson’s son was almost an identical replica of his daddy. Even though he was barely five, he’d already shown many of the skills ordinarily attributed to vampires. He was fast, very fast, and way stronger than any of the other children in the backyard, but he was also the sweetest, shyest little boy Emmallina had ever met. And, to his mother’s never-ending thankfulness, able to play in the sunshine and hadn’t yet shown a need to drink human blood. It was a possibility that would change when he reached puberty, but for now, for the most part, he was simply an adorable five-year-old child.
“You’re not late,” Keira said with a watery smile. “You’re just on time to catch me dissolving into tears.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Amber said as she moved to give the young woman a hug. “We will only ever be a phone call away. You just call any one of us and we’ll blink you home in an instant.”
Emmallina smiled at Amber’s assurance. As a fully grown dragon-shifter, Keira was more than capable of bringing herself home in an instant. Her hesitation today was only caused by a fear of the unknown. Once Keira began making friends and getting involved in her college courses, her visits home would inevitably become less frequent. Right now she was standing on the precipice of her independent adult life, but there was no doubt she had the love and support of everyone in Sugarville if she needed it.
Darian winked at Keira, grabbed his wife, and guided her toward the table filled with the rest of the women of Sugarville before she could become emotional and start trying to talk Keira out of leaving again. Amber wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Every woman in town—Kali, Hannah, Amber, Lilly, Kristen, Skye, Jennifer, and Keira’s surrogate mother, Ava—had tried to talk her into waiting a few years more before striking out on her own. Fortunately, Keira was a sensible, well-adjusted young woman with the world at her feet and the sky her only limit. She knew when the time was right for her to start living her own life. And that time was now.
Perhaps her leaving home affected everyone more than they wanted to admit. Together they’d built a happy life for their families. Keira leaving was a reminder that life always changed, that there were good times and bad, happy times and periods of grief and heartache. But it was all a part of life. Right now they had love and laughter, joy and happiness, family and good friends. It was understandable that they’d want to keep it that way as long as possible.
The final entry in Bethany’s journal came to mind.
For in my life I cannot hope to bring the peace the others offer, so I give my gift to them freely. With their love, compassion, empathy, and strength they will bring with them a new world—an Oracles’ light that shines always and brings hope to those who need it.
Clearly, Bethany had been a woman beyond measure, her selflessness and insight truly inspiring. Emmallina only regretted that she’d never known her, but prayed the woman had found peace and the rewards she deserved in the afterlife.
Emmallina reached for her husband’s hand and watched her grandchildren play with the offspring of the people living in Sugarville. Happiness and gratitude for everything they’d done for her and her family filled her heart.
Every day the Oracle’s receptacles and their partners helped someone else, their skills, compassion, and understanding bringing peace and hope to many more people than perhaps even Bethany had foreseen. And they did it all under the cover of anonymity, never asking for, nor expecting, gratitude or thanks from anyone.
They were an amazing group of people and Emmallina thanked the goddess, and Bethany, that she’d been given the chance to know them.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abby Blake writes erotic romance exclusively for Siren Publishing. She has MFM, FMMM, and FMMMMMMMM stories currently published with paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi, and BDSM themes. At the moment she has three completed series available and many more planned.
For all titles by Abby Blake, please visit
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Siren Publishing, Inc.
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